8 Miles And Ridin’: Detroit Bicycle Company x Williamson

Detroit is a tough city whose economy has experienced some hefty vertical swings since it was founded in 1701, and although being declared bankrupt in 2013, it’s experiencing somewhat of a renaissance.

New luxury sports equipment brand Williamson Goods is revelling in Detroit’s prevalent upswing and has collaborated with another local, the Detroit Bicycle Company, on a series of the most lavish bicycles we’ve ever seen.

Williamson Goods currently has a small, albeit sumptuous, inventory: their Woodward Football is made from crocodile skin, comes in black or gold, “can be enjoyed as a prized showpiece or for a game of backyard football”, and is priced at US$6,250.

The Wheelmen Bicycle has just been added to their catalogue, and it’s equally as lavish. The frames are hand-brazed by Steven Bock of the Detroit Bicycle Company, who has previously produced some of the most admired rides on this site.

In fact, Steven’s copper-plated Land Speed Bike was the Most Popular Bike on Cycle EXIF in 2014, and he continued the theme for this Williamson Goods flagship. Six colours will be finally be available, and only ten of each colour will be made.

The Wheelmen Bicycle, named after a Detroit bicycle club that existed at the turn of the century, has a Sturmey-Archer 5-speed hub in the rear, driven by Paul Components cranks, and is adorned with a Brooks saddle and grips, hand-wrapped and sewn in 100% genuine crocodile skin.

The front rack and handlebar-mounted bottle cage is also copper-plated, as are the Nitto stem and bars, while the hammered fenders will be painted to match each colour theme. The frame is truly spellbinding, upholstered by hand with python skin.

As indicated, stock is strictly limited, so if you’re in the market for a new townie and have a cool US$35,000 burning a hole in your pocket, get in the queue.